HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 1916-01-07 Minutesfi
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DJdURNED 3EETliiia OF COUNCIL FRIDAY JANVAA 1�' 1 otwAti"
:'AEMBER9 17 r9E:lT: L. T. Highleynaan, E. C. Romfh, C. Hefty, A 1. artcin, F. G. Erfert
The meeting was held pursuant to request of County Attorney Bailey who, with Tax
Assessor J. F. Jaudon and Commiseioners Iierriok, Hinson, Tweedell and Burg, convened
with the city council for the purpose of arriving at an understanding on the matter
of Road Taxes collected by the County on property within the city of ,aiami for the
years 1914 and 1915, one half of which tax the City claims to be due it., •
Attirney Raailey presented the following letter from the Commissioners:
. HEFTY 10 AM
"Miami, Florida, January, 7,, 1916
eo the Honorable, 'ine City Council of eiami,
.aiami, Florida.
uentlemen:
We, the cord rrittee appointed by the Board of County Commissioners of Dade
County fcr the pureoee of conferrinr' with a similar committee to be appointed from. your
body relative to tht resolution of your body subrniete,i to tae Board of County Commieaonere
of ra le county with a request for a refund to tne amount of one half of the county road tax
levy for the years 1914 and 1915 by Dade Uounty :against property embraced in the
corporate limits or the city of riia.mi, be to advise you and your committee tnat Dade Co►inty
has a+.lw.ays adopted the policy of dividinz the county road fund into five equal parts,
apj:ortinninz same to the five commissioners districts of Dade County. The former city
councils of ,:.ia..wi nave acquiesced .an.t n objection has been raise... heretofore to same. This
zaa been done unie' the assumption tnat every road built in Dade County leads to Miami,
tnat the expenditure of the road tax money in ouilding roads throughout the county has developed
sae city of Aiami.
The as-;u:.:ption ie tnat every grove planted, every crop harvested, every improvement
rnas,t anyunere in Dade County is a di_•ett benefit to the oity of :.iiami. Consequently, tne
city of . Ia.:1 haaa alma ty ,ealizea on its proportion of the road tax money in the inc ;eased
prosperity th.roeenout tee county, increased busines , brvueht to the wholeseie ana retal.l
:.,ereaaant, banker, hotel /paper ant other b.siies•3 enterprises of tne city. The expenditure
of the road tax money hca3 developed an creaute.a a (ireater :aia:.rni which o0uld not have been
..c:owpiished by any other method. The easy reach t.:..t has to its every outlying
T:roauci:.• an.a c::= l..ir_: section, tetra is not a pees that Miami merona: to do not
aoiicit trade by auto,uooile from every section of tne county .and by motor •trucks receive
a_ n , _liver Loo,is. in fact tet ounetriotion of these county roads has in a sense matte
all Of ;c.. C` l;0U::y as part of iami.
e be sieve ' n_ t every bone -fide y eei..ient fa:;il7 bro•.,ht to Laue County. no matter
h r _ocett ..._... is 1 ')Ur.l a yeerin- faotpr to the city of v;iam¢
::eu, :a t . :or : .1.,tion o: _ by :ne :runty in e,,ua1 proportion to tne Com.,iseionersi
;laps ,-iven .:1u.n.i all t e :enefits for whion tery ooul•i ri&ntly contend.
ex;teliture o: ":.i3. i'c.... tap`; money eluaiey in tlx: Commissioners, lie riots has .ieve10pei
t+:.' value on tee ou ;lyi:f- hands, v;henh would not have been the Oaae haaa not the
pax money be.n p in tele +; :dy.
se.» to you teat 2ade ,,:our.ty has been very .anxious to maintain the main
ail : _ _ e : 1_. i et it a 0 'n exrense, in other words, Biscayn. :'rive from the north
:i nit to • , - sap, Ctre't an :term Ave from r_ro.>.away co the eoutrrwest city liw te.
itwas ml-o t.i-- irttetion of the Boar.: of C.;unty Cot:i:::is- loners to call a bona election
t,;r tee : r: ode o: .,:etecLinin. .•:nether bonds shall be issued against ail property in
.:aunty intoe sum of;;5J,000 for tole purpoa._ of constructing three brides across
...., eieee .fiver in ta eiov o: ..laei, one apt Avenue 2, one at Avenue C axnd one at 12th $ .
:Oe.:•vee, L .. 7.0._r. of Oou-:y Co::i...la •iortr3 •nests to say tnat 71 the city of aia:.:ni
pee ists in it, ccriteniinz fcr one h.,:.tt• (A:the road tax levy that it does not think it
f it to .;ountc to ;may the one halt or the road tax re,luaatea by the City, and aale0
a «1. .f :e: i_:VOI»:•tv in L:.l:'. .:aunty for the ;.ur oat of coaatructinc,r tnest briaeea.
be1i,ve `., _.CQVc cutiirea the pcaition of the i.,oG.rd of County Comr:is.ionere of
..ounty :•uy,v.
'ery re3pe.ttu.a,y,
eo. x,. ...eLrlck,
J. J. Hinson,
. J. Tweedell,
E. �. V. Duer."
r. iety: ,:_ .;:.ere nes ..area :.e to r:r`,tr- this matter to Council anu in ad pion to
ze - __ _ ei .,+ :n •o•i juateeera mead, 1 7;isn to say that, as is known, Dade County
i 3 an t; city never contributed; and ono -hale ti1B• upkeep lids been
..'aunty. :et :cut: t" y etas oi.aed an . pawvea a number of roads to the olty
�l lt3 .,:, . '0.2 :'Olt.: '.ri ' :ity limits. .:ia^,1 :.;eta the benefit of all roads constructed
:..a ;, e .; .t, e . ,..o c : .a; r. its e,,:.r t of ..: scnool money aana has never paid one hale the
receive. a_.,:.at 3/4tns of ' ne scnool tax. If the county eontrioutee
i.. rl cu_:•:in: you wit :et more in a lu..p sum. than you would
i : , . :,r,.. .. 1 . %•. - :®.:.: :sl ; next three or four years and consiaerebly double
a i r.;;';, .sett cut in tnls ace:ni'uni::a.ion, tee county intendea to go
:. ne :1h•:ays taroU:n the city except the part you have paved
a..ty hec,u ;.t E cn treet a,n.. .:190 Allaapatta.rt ttoaa into the city,
a- • - iee:e lO;. -O 1: '1' 0:.... streets ie tJac Sa:Ge wy. 111,t ;,owaty Const.lucte
iv .riv: at ee tni •- line ..0u0. and tnr city nas never pas,la any
t, ,e _. eeL t•.o yt :.lo .a n . 1 think t.tr:: ci,y alai ,otten its
„et its snare for tne next three
a. ot erin u: si:- re c,z the taxes, it you
ea it is ... „.i'ty pee, tee clay ,:u,uoU they are
.re
... , , . - oecause the money has been spent; they are paying you
in aavance for tne next three or four years when you need it worse; you are not waiving
yo,r right to it but you are getting it.
�.r. HiGnleynii: It seams to me that this is a proposition of right and wrong. In regard
ac, wn.t the county has done for Miami, if you figure up the amount of tames paid in the
last ten years, we have paid several times over for the Avenue D bridge and it is evident
teat we have not been able to get the same treatment, in our roads through the oity as the
towns outside of salami. These bridges youarepeak about not giving the money for or not
voting bonds for, will be of as much benefit to the county as to tte oity the farmers
anL. truckers all around here using them. It don't seem to me, any way you look at it, that
you are giving the city of Miami when you vote 450,000 bonds for bridges, IAA giving to the
eo..ntry people somethin they need and it is only right and fair. If the law says we are
e,.titled to one half this road tax we should have it and its not wrong to ask for it
and when yoursay you have built a road to the city limits or a ways beyOnd.te city limits
ee•Q
that does not cover the situation. I don't believe thOMMise Onetra.want to tie put
in tue light of retaliation.. in the matter on the bri4geS411 ¢,2 th
•
1, c
A210
Adjourned meeting January 7, 1916
together and if there is anything the city ought to do for theb. county ***Al
and it should be the same on the other hand, and I am sure it is Act the
the Board to inject any spirit of retaliation, if we are right oil thin tdx znatter:�;
and for you to say you will not bond for the new bridges is not the' 'proper i its' T f
it is right to give us the taxes and is the law, why give it to us; and if you get
the benefit Of these bridges throughout ;the county the same as the city does, Why
pay your part and lets be fair to one another.
Commissioner Merrick stated that he did not think it fair for the oity to demand
one half the road tax, the tax having been divided for years among five county
districts for the good of both county and oity; that every dollar spent for good.
roads in the county benefits the oity; that it is not in a spirit of retaliation
that the Board sug:_ested not calling an election for bridge bonds but in fairness to
all the county.
City attorney Cason stated in reply to Mr. Iderriok that`aocording to figures oompi1.
by County Tax Assessor Jaudon, the oity is paying about 50% of the taxes of the •
whole county and if the 450,000 bonds are voted the oity would pay the greater part
'of the issue and really that part of the county outside of the city is only donating
425,000 toward the bridges.
Counoilman Romfh: In a meaure, I don't exaotly see the need for this conference; it
is simply a question of the law and it is the duty of this council to follow the lee
absolutely. If, as our attorney states, this money is due the oity, so far as I am
oonoerned it will have to be paid, bridges or no bridges. I hear talk here about
what we will do and what you will do. It is simply a question to be submitted tothe
people,- they decide these matters, and if you wish to put yourself up above the
people, as Czars, and say you will do this and retaliate in that manner, why take
that pose. You can pass this and leave it for the people to decide whether the
450,000 will be voted for the bridges, I am willing to trust the voters at any time.
If you have to explain to the people, go before them and we will also and if they
say you are right I will be satisfied; and if they say you are wrong I will be
satisfied, but I think it is certainly a question for the people to decide at the
polls, and a not a matter of retaliation by the County Commissioners beoause the
city is tryin_ to carry out the law. That'is my position absolutely.
Ta% Assessor Jaudon addressed the meeting citing figures which he stated represented
tlt division of road tax in several counties of the state; also stating that in these
counties, owing to poor roads and laok of country developement, the oities are
compelled to pay a very high percentage of the total taxes, mentioning Duval
county especially.
Councilman Wharton addressed the meeting, uring that the county and city get togethel
an., work for the beet interests of all concerned; that there has never been a
bond issue voted upon that the city ;lid not vote solidly for the issue and to bond
itself for the benefit of the county roads; that the law certainly intended that
the city should maintain its thoroughfares and was espeoted to do so, hence the law
returning to municipalities one half the road tax, and did not see where there was
any argument against returning the money to the city, but it might be diffioult
to determine a starting point but thought a date hould be arrived at from which
tee city could collect from the county the money due it; that if the 1914 taxes have
been spent he would not deem it advisable to claim a division for that year but it
is a ...atter the/ should be settled in good spirit. In the matter of bonds for the
proposed bridges over the riger, thought the Board should take into oonsiaeration
the very small part the country section of the county will pay, the total oost being
estimated at $75,000. while approximately 425,000 only wile be paid by the county,
tole balance falling upon the city of .aiarii,
Captain Jaudon and Commissioners Hinson and Burr stated it was not their meaning or
intent, that they would refuse to call a bond election.
Cuairman Hefty sugeested that the division of the road tax start with the year 191a.
Attorney Halley stated that with regard to the 1915 taxes, the county had adopted
t1rG buuget system anu a budget had been prepared on October 1, 1915; that 03,000 to
J4,000 is required monthly to maintain the convict camps and if the city inisisted
o4 a division of the 19185tax, it would be unlawful for the commissioners to issue a
a warrant because the taxes for 1915 had been appropriates under the budget; also
states tnat the 1914 ta:.es have been expended.
Cnairman Hefty stated that nothing; could be ac eaipliehed unless a starting point is
reached an: suggested 1916 and thought the council should advise the commissioners to
tit effect.
..r. Romfh stated that his interpretation of the letter was that the commissioners
w.uiu not c,i 1 the bond eleotion and that it appeared to him to be in the nature of
a threat simply because the city had demanded its lawful share of the road tax.
Co.:.u4issioner Hinson stated that he did not look at the letter in that way.
r. Romfh: That is the way I interpret it. 0f course I have no desire to stop the
convict road work or tie you up and if you have contracted bills and made your
budget without :onsidering this, but I don't think you should refuse to pall the bond
election.
Comr. Hinson: I dont understand the Board has taken that position and I think you
misunueeetand it.
._r. Hi,;hieyman: There has been a great deal said about the roads being for the
oenefit of ..sera. They are usually started where they are wanted and then tiau,i gets
toe benefit afterwerds Assuming the benefits are all for :Miami, we are now
preparing to spend upwards of $800,000 for deep water for the benefit of the whole
have filet asked you to contribute one oent. I don't agree that
.. .c.�..a in; the firer place are for the benefit of :iiami but for the benefit of
a.....�� towns and the county and indirectly we get the benefit in eaioxni
tt o_,_ey . 4i..ey: We h-ve the ,convicts and can't turn thew 1o0se; they ooat- 3900 to
r. i nee y.Fn: Ai, ri-,r:t, use then: in the city If the oity has 41.5,UQQ oouairtg to. :�
i cr cur ; xc,T c rtion of the road tax, give itto 1,14 1i+ d
� 1`, AOe A.
fee- tee!. an i ive us c:ur share of the- tag in, t
imme-
1
14•61,6•07dIr
38 Adjourned mee tine January 7, 1916.
They can do as Good work on our streets as on the roads and work out the $15,000 due the
city in that way
Comr. Hinson: I have been very muoh interested and don't know that I can add anything.
1 thine all of u$ aGree our interests are identical and I don't believe you would have
undertaken de p water unless you had the country back ofyou as there would have been no
need for it. There is a law requiring the o.unty to refund one half the road tax to
the city. Two two attorneys do not agree on it.
.r. Ho.:th: %either the Eoard nor t:iis :.ouneil are a•�ove txie law a.nd it should be lived up
to. A9 to .vhat shape the county finances are in, that is a question that can be
d.termined by the county and city auditor and if it is a question of tieing up your
road work and convict camps for 1914 ani 1915, why the money is certainly available for
1916 as you now h::ve notice of the city's claims.
:cu:r. Burr: 1 woui,:, suggest that we make a start and it be inc._uded in our Budget for 191
I dent set any chew of paying the bask indebtedness an.d we might come to some under-
etending whereby we coul,a include that in our Budget and „-ay it over in 1916.
..r, Homfn: Peat is wait I am getting at, for your auditor and our auditor to go over the
books and verify,
Qoz,;r, Hinson: If to;-. la nays t,ity are entitieu to one half I am wiling to rive it to th
.trrick: cur fttorr. y ayi they are not entitledto it.
t'.o;;:fii : A sir:,p le, fri n:1.1y Suit can has to i':terming that. if we are not
.:`.til:;,L to it, i .:on't w__.t it. I don't think this coucil ehouia do a.nyttainr to
e...oL.raea the county finances. I know that it' : tried to rearrange our city budget
new it .:.ua,, :..ean a deficit :n. ::.n in.:reast in nett ye re taxes. J. think the auditors
c_ n t to7tth.r an, :hew why wt .re not-e:1,,.nling 1914 and 1915 taxes.
C:::.ir...an : efty: I think we should notify the cc,,.:..ia=ionere that we ell.. ...mi;,.na the city's
cf 1.; ta._es.
w- . _ put u:,; at., f on recur., rlardins 1914 ..n.i 1915 untie we have
.,ty r :ounty ,• u_.i to an; - . ,;;:in mention tl,t.t we expect our
dt.;.ice u. ',ii 1913 taxes _tvie1 unit-t ;'i;attorney a.visea tl, .t we are nut entitled
tu at ;.nafri�.._:�y sa_, ice.. set:_Le
,; ....,.., a. c .. :..•_ :ity .u.,itcr rc _u::. . the
.T•cr f...i r. ..J lee _ cf t.,. i9io ..ul_et, a it .ffe.:ta the i'oa.d Fund.
r. 1 ...
til waive -• -.,.-: t...., as i f no;; t:.._. .Loney n.s be.n spent.
:...; .o,::�. tor ta..t we notify the co.i:.,.isF,ioners, and
it f a ae,:..nd, ,., it 191= eud;et include tee ;rop(.rtion of the
t.::. r _t�year .t:,iciJ is aue to t.,e ;ity of _iarei, ...otion carried.
I .t,11..r. cou.LJ until the 1Si 3 levy has ben
-cu.. to .;1'ir ult rtr t..1 money ari. it J:.:: not be brought until
i6 :i .^tY' .Lr...n.,ai:_J.:: yTVL'C,.ir:_a
n:e eke wr. U;:O:1 thu county an, in cr. er to setti
a= tu 1... :.;er it ..3hcua, ce ir: fade, In the budget if tilt courts BO
iV-' it.. ri_hts to 1915, y'in 'ti) ,y then kno:. whither or not to
city .:oui . ..ive its ri:i t, for 1915.
cri lei I ..c.; . :ou %ii, see th:.t is a uestio.: for the people to
r, i:._•cr., u.i.... ion a.; y.0
.,ttsBt.
ho:..fi7. I think that is
President City 'ouncil
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